THE Bermuda Council on Ageing has been formed in response to a growing awareness that Bermuda's population is growing older ? and this has social, health and economonc implications for seniors as well as all other demographic groups on the island.

To address the challenges that an ageing population presents, the Bermuda Council on Ageing was formally launched yesterday after four years' work by a group of dedicated citizens who have taken the idea of researching the needs of seniors in Bermuda and converted the results into a plan of action that looks to the future.

"No one would argue that older adults should not be an integral part of society; living healthy, active, independent lives with dignity and meaning," said a BCA spokesman. "This is not always the reality, however, and the needs of our seniors have attracted the attention of Government, employers, charities, and concerned citizens alike.

"Indeed, the Age Concern group has been bringing the needs of seniors to our attention for almost 30y years, and they continue to work towards an improved quality of life for our older citizens.

"Government has also recognised that there are seniors in our community who require assistance, and in 2002 the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged was formed to provide a central point of access to government services. The implications of an ageing population go beyond even the needs of seniors and will affect us all in many areas of everyday life."

In 2004, an extensive survey was funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies Limited, and resulted in the report by Dr. Irene A. Gutheil and Dr. Roslyn H. Chernesky of Fordham University.

This was followed by an all-day planning retreat in November 2005 that resulted in the unanimous decision to form this Council on Ageing. A steering committee was then formed under the co-chairmanship of Jonathan Brewin and Ralph Richardson and, in June of 2006, Marian Sherratt, who was the local coordinator for the Fordham research project, was engaged as executive director.

The purpose of the Bermuda Council on Ageing is to bring together Government, the private sector, the charitable sector, and the community at large, to identify and help develop appropriate policies and programmes; to research and report on key issues; and to build community awareness of its ageing population.

"We must bring the broader issues to the forefront as we strive to meet the growing challenges of Bermuda's ageing population. The Bermuda Council on Ageing is based on the firm foundation of identifying and researching the problem, and developing a plan going forward with creative and innovative responses that have clearly defined goals and measurable outcomes", said chairman Mr. Brewin.

Bermuda is not alone in confronting the challenges presented by an ageing population. The United Nations reports that the proportion of older persons throughout the world will grow from one in 10 today to one in five by 2050, one in four by 2100, and one in three by 2150, with the more developed countries, such as Bermuda, reaching these figures more quickly.

Nor is there a universal solution to the challenges this demographic shift presents, as each country and community will respond differently. In Bermuda, for example, the cost of housing is putting undue strain on many families, particularly when adult children are caring for parents in the home.

However, deputy chairman Ralph Richardson said: "It is misleading to say that the older population presents a burden to our society. Before and after retirement most individuals continue to live active lives and contribute in many, many way to their community and their family".

Marian Sherratt, executive director, commented: "Our seniors are a great resource. We must ensure that they have the opportunities to contribute to the society that they helped build, while those in need must be supported. This will require a review of policies and cultural attitudes as we acknowledge that the percentage of older Bermudians is growing".

At yesterday's official launch of the Council Mr.Richardson went on to say the onus was very much on Bermuda to address the issue of its graying population.

"According to the 2000 Census, 11 percent of Bermuda's population is already older than 65, and the Department of Statistics estimates that this will double to 22 percent by 2030, he said. "117 years ago, when Germany set up the first pension scheme, they fixed the retirement age at 70 - then soon lowered it to 65.

"It soon became an unshakeable belief that 65 is the natural retirement age. But at that time if you lived to 65 in Germany, you were lucky."

He said with a growing percentage of people living longer and enjoying good health until late in life, there were bound to be ramifications and challenges that societies never had to prepare for in the past.

"It is important that the image of older persons is projected in a positive manner so that their continuing contributions to society are recognised and fostered," he said.

"For those less independent older persons, adequate care and protection becomes the responsibility of a caring and just society. "